During a press conference in Washington, D.C., federal health officials rang the alarm about rates of the sexually transmitted infections (STIs, also called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs) syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, which have increased for four consecutive years. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released new data showing that there were 2.3 million cases in 2017—200,000 cases more than the previous year. This makes it the new all-time high.
The CDC notes just how the rates of the infections have risen exponentially. They note that from 2013-2017:
- Chlamydia increased by 22 percent
- Gonorrhea increased by 67 percent
- Syphilis cases rose by 76 percent
This is a serious problem, noted David Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors. "Here's a quote for members of the media," he said. "Ready? It is time that President Trump and Secretary [of Health and Human Services Alex] Azar declare STDs in America a public health crisis.”
The United States has the highest rates of STIs in the industrialized world. How did we get here? Harvey says it’s a direct reflection of the drastic drop in funding of STD prevention: over the past 15 years, funding has dropped a whopping 40 percent.
We need to start directing funds to address this problem immediately. Harvey calls for $70 million to “sufficiently arm state and local programs to confront this crisis,” and for Congress to use its power to address this growing public health problem.
I won’t be holding my breath for Secretary Azar or President Trump to declare an emergency; they don’t seem particularly concerned with the health of the American people. As usual, the most marginalized people are the most vulnerable in this situation.
Part of the problem is access to health care—and the quality of care they get if they have it. Previous CDC reports cite discrimination, poverty, and stigma as contributing to why many people don’t get tested for STIs regularly. In 2015, they noted that the first meaningful step to reducing STI rates is to “confront the reluctance of American society to openly confront issues surrounding sexuality and STDs.” This means supporting comprehensive sex education programs and supporting healthcare organizations and providers like Planned Parenthood. When it comes to health, knowledge is power. It’s unfortunate that the current administration treats truth as the enemy.